RMIT Scholarship and Research Training Scheme Subcommittee

Terms of Reference

1. Title of committee

RMIT Scholarship and Research Training Scheme Subcommittee

2. Policy reference

The Academic Board under the RMIT Act (1992) Sections 29 was established for the purposes of:

Academic oversight of prescribed academic programs and courses of study in higher education and technical and further education, including the provision of advice to the Council on the conduct and content of prescribed academic and courses of study of higher education and technical and further education and the awarding of degrees and diplomas, certificates and other awards.

Statute 2.8 of the University specifies delegated authority to the Academic Board “to establish and appoint such committees with such membership and for such terms as it considers appropriate”.

The Academic Board has determined to establish and maintain a Research Committee, which in accordance with its Terms of Reference will establish a sub-committee responsible for matters pertaining to the allocation of domestic scholarships and Commonwealth Government funded research places (Research Training Scheme places) at RMIT.

3. Rationale

The Research Committee is the platform for the development of appropriate policies at RMIT – including matters specific to ensuring RMIT delivers a high quality research training experience to all its Higher Degree by Research students. The RMIT Scholarship and RTS Subcommittee will be responsible for ensuring that Australian Postgraduate Awards and RMIT PhD Scholarships, as well as RTS places, are awarded to eligible applicants at RMIT on the basis of principles approved by the Research Committee.

4. Committee practices:

4.1 Functions

4.1.1 The RMIT Scholarship and RTS Subcommittee (“The Subcommittee”) is a sub committee of the Research Committee (“The Committee”).

4.1.2 The Subcommittee shall:

a) Review the list of domestic applicants for scholarships and RTS places, resolve any disputed scores for applicants and determine final scholarship and place ranking.

b) Make recommendations to the Committee on policy and procedure relating to allocation of scholarships and places;

c) Transmit to the Committee and the University Scholarship Committee a report from each of its meetings to provide additional transparency for the selection and allocation process.

4.2 Membership

4.2.1 Membership of Committee shall be confirmed and amended by the Committee and shall comprise:

(a) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) or nominee, who will be Chair;

(b) The Dean, School of Graduate Research , who will be the Deputy Chair;

(c) The Deputy/Associate PVC (Research and Innovation) from each Academic College

or nominee;

(d) Three Research Directors/HDR Co-ordinators, one from each Academic College,

nominated by the College Research Committee;

(e) The Directors of the four RMIT Research Institutes, or nominees;

(f) The Co-ordinator, Research Administration, Research and Innovation Portfolio;

4.2.2 The PVC Research and Innovation shall appoint a secretary to provide administrative support to the Committee.

4.3 Executive

4.3.1 The Committee may authorise a meeting of an Executive of the Subcommittee (including

virtual meetings) to facilitate business matters. This will usually be for matters:

(i) that may require resolution within timeframes outside normal Subcommittee

schedules; and,

(ii) that the Committee has endorsed for action pending resolution of operational issues by the Executive.

4.3.2 The Executive shall comprise the Chair or Deputy Chair, plus three members

(approved by the Committee).

4.3.3 Outcomes of Executive meetings shall be included in the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee for ratification.

4.4 Duration

4.4.1 The term of membership shall be for two years

4.4.2 Retiring members shall be eligible for reappointment

4.5 Quorum:

The quorum for a meeting shall be half the membership of the Committee plus one. In the absence

of both the Chair and Deputy Chair a member elected by the members present shall preside.

4.6 Meetings:

4.6.1 The Subcommittee shall meet in November/December each year. Meetings may be held at other times if required.

4.6.2 Five workings days notice in writing will be given of a forthcoming meeting. Such notice should include the time, place, agenda and papers for the meeting.

4.6.3 The Committee may also develop innovative processes using Information Technologies to conduct its business.

4.6.4 Absent members may be represented by a proxy where that proxy has been appointed to act in the substantive role of the absent member.

4.6.5 A proxy may not be a current member of the Committee.

5. Review and improvement

The Subcommittee will report annually through its Chair to the Committee against its rationale, operations and continuous quality improvement processes.